We read Ecclesiastes 6 recently, in which the author talks about a stillborn child. He writes in verse 4, “It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in the darkness its name is shrouded.”
The boys know that we lost a baby to miscarriage before our oldest son was born. Sometimes they think about the older brother or sister they never had. When I read that verse, they wanted to know: what happens to a baby who dies before it is born?
One of the children suggested it must go to heaven automatically because it had never had a chance to sin. I reminded them of Psalm 51:5 which says, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” All mankind fell with Adam, when he sinned. We read in Romans 5:12, “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.”
They wondered aloud, “How can a baby be saved?” It was a good opportunity to remind them that all those who are saved, regardless of age, are redeemed by Christ. They are aved by God and not by our works. The God who called us when we were dead in our sin and chose us before the foundation of the world is able to save all His elect, even the unborn. Charles Spurgeon put it this way:
“That this is possible is proved from Scripture instances. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb. We read of Jeremiah also, that the same had occurred to him; and of Samuel we find that while yet a babe the Lord called him. We believe, therefore, that even before the intellect can work, God, who worketh not by the will of man, nor by blood, but by the mysterious agency of his Holy Spirit, creates the infant soul a new creature in Christ Jesus, and then it enters into the ‘rest which remaineth for the people of God.’ By election, by redemption, by regeneration, the child enters into glory, by the selfsame door by which every believer in Christ Jesus hopes to enter, and in no other way.”
Our hope lies not in the “innocence” of our unborn baby but in the grace of our loving Father. We eagerly look forward to meeting this child in glory.
Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Romans 9: 10-16
This was one of the issues that really bothered me when God began to reveal the truth of election to me. Thank you for your explanation. It was helpful.
This is a beautiful post. I’ve lost two babies, and the truth that salvation is by grace alone has been such a comfort in these times of loss. Thanks for sharing.
I loved this post! Thank you for sharing it!
Nice post. I would add that David prayed for his baby to live, but that when the baby died he said, “He will not return to me, but I will go to him.” Aludes to babies going to have through grace.